Subsidized foodgrain scheme to continue for all sections: Virbhadra

Shimla, Aug 15 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said Thursday the government would continue to provide subsidized foodgrain to all families in the state.

"We would continue to provide subsidized foodgrains to all the families irrespective of the fact whether they are covered under the ambit of the (National Food Security) Ordinance or not," he said in his Independence Day message.

He said the state takes pride in bringing its entire population under the Targetted Public Distribution System.

"All the 16.31 lakh ration card holders are being provided three types of pulses, two edible oils and salt at subsidized rates through a network of 4,634 fair price shops under the Food Subsidy Scheme which was started during my earlier tenure in 2007," the chief minister said.

A provision of Rs.175 crore has been made under the scheme this year, he added.

Unlike the national food security scheme, which will be launched in the state Aug 20 and entitles 67 percent of the population to subsidised foodgrain every month, the hill state cover covers its entire population.

There are 16.31 lakh ration card holders in the state for a population of 68,64,602, said an official of the Food and Civil Supplies Department.

The ration card holders include 11.63 lakh who are above the poverty line.